The swelling has now gone down sufficiently for the Welsh winger to have a scan on the injury today.

Boss Andre Villas-Boas last night insisted Bale could only miss his club's next two games as they battle London rivals Chelsea and Arsenal for a place in next season's Champions League - and return to face Manchester City on April 21.

"Gareth has rolled over his ankle," he reported. "We still need to get assessment that we can only have on Friday.

"It shouldn't be as bad as it looks because Gareth has torn that ligament before and there's nothing to tear now. There is lots of swelling and the pain is obviously very, very big but we hope to assess him tomorrow.

"There is a big possibility he is going to be able to make it for the Man City game and he will only miss the next two games, but assurances we can only give you [Friday].

"Gareth will definitely play again this season. [Friday] we will know better but I'm pretty confident.

"From the medical department's first analysis, everything is positive."

However, after Spurs midfielder Sandro picked up a knee injury in 0-0 draw against QPR in January, AVB said: “He should be fine. He felt a big knock on the knee and thought there was ligament damage but on a further look, it looks okay.”

Until Thursday, Tottenham had not a game since New Year's Day in which Bale, who has 27 goals for club and country this season, had not found the net.

"We recognise the form the player is in and the problem is the squad will step up a level for his absence," the Portuguese head coach said.

"Key players are always missed by any team but we have played without him before."

Jermain Defoe is already out with a groin injury, and William Gallas (calf) and Aaron Lennon (knee) joined the club's growing injury list during the draw with Basel.

All four are set to miss Sunday's Premier League tie with Everton and the return leg in Switzerland next Thursday.

"These injuries are part of the season," AVB added. "They're obviously big, big misses but we have a big squad and the possibility to adapt."

Defender Gallas, Villas-Boas said, "may have a small tear on his calf but again it is about the assessment tomorrow."

Tottenham fell two behind after 34 minutes against the skilful Swiss champions.

Goals either side of half-time from Emmanuel Adebayor and sub Gylfi Sigurdsson forced the draw but Spurs still have a mountain climb next week to reach the semi-finals.

"This Basle team was probably the best team I have ever seen at White Hart Lane," AVB added. "I think we limited the damage to give us the possibility of still getting through. Within all the negatives, there is the positive of still being in the tie and going away from home to try and get through."

Spurs keeper Brad Friedel told ITV1: "When you're down 2-0, to come back, we can take a little bit of encouragement from that. But we didn't start the game well, we know that and the gaffer had some words at half-time.

"It will be tough out there, but we've got a lot of quality in our squad."